Electric lighting fixture



Dec? 1941- E. s. BOYNTON 2,2 5

ELECTRIC LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed 0ct. 10, 1958 INVENTOR Earl S. Bognfo'n HIS gzzzm Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNlTED' STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING FIXTURE Earl S. Boynton, East Orange, N. J.

Application October 10, 1938, Serial No. 234,125

7 Claims.

This inventionrelates to electric lighting fixtures, and particularly to lighting fixtures such as reading lamps or the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting fixture embodying means whereby the lamp means thereof may be lighted or extinguished by suitable rotation of the lamp shade.

It is another object of the invention to provide a lighting fixture of the type described, in which switch means controlling the operation of a plurality of electric lamps, or controlling a plurality of electric circuits serving a single lamp.

ating plungers. As later described in detail, displacement of the shade about its pivot is effective to move such rotatable element in one or may be selectively operated by pressure exerted on the lamp shade.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric lighting fixture in which the electric switch means may be entirely concealed, operation of said switch means being effected by displacement of the lamp shade about a fixed pivot point.

In this invention, the lamp may comprise a base of suitable material, said base desirably being hollow and serving to receive, and rigidly mount, lamp socket means and switch means for said socket means.

Disposed in suitable operative relationship to said lamp socket means and said switch means there is provided a fixed standard aflording means for pivota1ly,'i. e., rotatably, mounting a lamp shade. The switch means may be of any standard type; in simplification of the present invention, however, the switch means are desirably of the double action plunger type, in which a spring-biased plunger actuates a rotating electric contact mechanism to close the electrical circuit during one movement of the plunger, and to open said circuit on a succeeding movement.

In one form of the present invention, the switch means are disposed in suitable fixed relationship with respect to the base, and in a manner which disposes the plunger elements thereof operably adjacent suitable bearing surfaces of the lamp shade. In such arrangement, the pressure of the hand at one end of the lamp shade will cause a rotation of said shade about its pivot, moving the bearing surface of the shade against the switch plunger means to operate its associated lamp switch.-

In a second embodiment of the invention, lamp switch means may be entirely concealed within the base of the lighting fixture. In such embodiment, the lamp shade may be provided with rotatable means disposed in part within the space occupied by said switch means and in suitable operative relationship to the switch actuanother direction, selectively switch means.

It is a feature of the present invention, therefore, that displacement of a lamp shade about a supporting member serves to actuate one or more lamp switch elements, said switch elements serving positively to return said lamp shade to normal position.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. l is an elevation of a lighting fixture, pursuant to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lighting fixture of Fig, 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation, taken along the lines 3'-3 of Fig. 2, particularizing a method of pivotally mounting the lamp shade with respect to the switch means, and illustrating further a type of switch suitable for the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a typical wiring diagram for the operating the I lighting fixture;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a second arrangement of switch means and the actuating means therefor;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the embodiment of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a third means for rotatably mounting the lamp shade,

Referring to the drawing, an electric lighting fixture I0, hereinafter referred to as a lamp, comprises a base II, a lamp shade l2 suitably positioned with respect thereto, lamp socket means I3, [3 for the reception of suitable electric bulbs l4, l4, and switch means l5, l5. In the embodiment shown, a switch is provided for each of said electric bulbs.

Preferably, see Fig. 3, the base II is of hollow construction, and provided with a bottom closure plate It. The lamp sockets l3, 13, may be'of conventional design; as illustrated, a threaded neck ll thereof extends through a suitable opening in the surface of the base II. The socket may be rigidly secured to the baseby suitable lock nut means it. A suitable washer 19 protects the surface of the base II when securing the said sockets. 7

The electric switches l5, l5 may be of any standard form; however, switches of the rotating contact type, in which the rotation of a screw member 2| serves to rotate suitable switch elements (not shown) to successively make and: break the electric circuit, are preferred. In the type of switch illustrated, the rotation of screw member 2| is eflfected by the displacement of a cooperatively threaded plate. 22 secured to thebottom of the switch plunger 23. As indicated,

the plunger 23 may have a hollow interior, hous-- ing a coil spring 24, confined between the upper wall portion of the plunger 23 and a suitable bearing plate 25 secured to the upper end of the screw element 2|.

In such a switch, the rotation of screw 2| during the downward movement of plunger 23 moves its associated switch element into circiQtclosing or circuit-opening position.

In switches of the class described, an overrunning clutch arrangement renders the return upward movement of the plunger 23 inoperative to cause any further rotation of the switch element; thus the complete downward and return movement of the plunger 23 eflects but one change in the electric circuit condition.

It is a feature of the present invention that the switch means are actuated simply by pressure on the lamp shade, such pressure causing a rotation of the lamp shade about a pivot point and a concomitant operation of the switch plunger 23,

To this end, the lamp shade l2 may be removably and pivotally supported on a central post.

26, rigidly secured to the upper surface of the base II. as shown in Fig. 3. The post 26 is advantageously formed of spring metal stampings of similar shape but of opposite hand, the stampings being configurated near the end portions thereof to cooperate in forming a suitable bearing having an outwardly flared mouth 21 through which suitable shade mounting means may be inserted into the bearing portion. It will be understood that the respective halves of the post 26 spread outwardly during the insertion of the shade, and snap into closed position to relatively snugly position the shade mounting means.

The shade l2 may be of any suitable design; the forms illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6 possess desirablev artistic qualities, and structural advantages, as presently-described.

The type of shade illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 comprises a plurality of plates 30, 3|, said plates being maintained in suitable spaced relationship by: suitable through pins and separators 32. Desirably the outer plates 36 are of transparent or translucent material, such as glass, molded plastic or the like, whereas the inner plates 3| may be of metal or other material which will form a pleasing contrast and artistic eflfect in combination with the material of the plates 36. In the embodiment of Fig. v3, the plates 3| have an inverted U shape, the central opening of the group of inner plates 3| forming a suitable hollow space for the accommodation of the electric lamp bulbs l4.

Suitably centrally positioned with respect to the shade elements 30, 3|, there is provided a shaft 33 for cooperation with the central post 26 to effect the pivotal mounting of the shade l2. Shaft 33 may be secured to' the outer shade elements 36 by screws 34, or equivalent. Said shaft is formed with a central preferably circular body 35, the extent of said circular portion being slightly greater than the width of the bearing portion of the supporting element 26. Enlarged terminal portions 36, see Fig. 2, serve said plates. Thus, the rivet 41 may integrate the respective plates 45, 46 into the'assem-bled shade l2. v

In Fig. 7, a shade l2, generally of the type aseaacs as stops to prevent lateralv displacement of the shade with respect toits supporting post 26.

The innermost plates 3| of shade |2I may be provided, adjacent the ends thereof, with suitable rigid bearing: elements 31, of metal, molded plastic, or the like, said bearing elements being positioned to overlie, and preferably contact with, the tips of the plungers 23. The location of thebearing provided in the post 26 with respect to the surface of base provides for a substantially horizontal normal positioning of the shade |2 when the. plungers 23 of the switches |5 are in fully extended position.

Therefore, after each oscillation of the shade- |2 to actuate one or the other of the plungers 23, the reaction of the spring 24- of such operated plunger, in returning the plunger to its normal position, also serves to return the shade. |2 to its normal position.

Referring now to the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 5 and6, the lamp base II is desirably provided with interiorly disposed vertical wall members 46, said wall members beingv insuitable. mutual spaced relationship'and affording means for, rigidly securing the switches l5, liin horizontal and mutually opposite position. The spacingof said walls 40', relative to the fully projected position of the switch plungers 23, 23 affords a spacing suitable for accommodating a tongue 4| fixedly secured, as by a pin 42, to the.

pivot member 33 of'the. lamp shade |2. In this embodiment of my invention,v there are employed a pair of spaced supporting posts 26, secured to the surface of the base insuch manner as tov provide a. space for accommodating the tongue 4| at its point of securement to the. shaft 35. The base. ii is formed with a suitable aperture 43 through which the tongue 4| may extend into the base As illustrated in Fig. 5,. the shade |2 may comprise an upper plate- 45, of transparent or translucent decorative material, disposed horizontally with respect to the base' H, as distinguished from the vertical arrangement of the respective plates in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3, inclusive. The under plates 46. may be of metal,

asaforesaid, and substantially annular, to afford a central opening sumcient to accommodate one or more bulbs l4, l4. For maintaining the plates 45, 46 in suitable. spaced relationship, there are employed any suitable number of rivets 41 aiiixed to bosses 48 formed in the plate 45, and passing through suitably aligned holesv in the plates 46. Each plate 46 has a downwardly struck fin5l, each fin serving to rest against the surface of the next lower plate 46 to suitably space the illustrated in Fig. 6, may be pivotally mounted for cooperation with one or more switches disposed, as in Fig. 1, near the end portions of the base through the agency of a pair of down wardly extending flanges 55, 55 formed in the lowermost plate 46. Such flanges 55, 55 have formed therein, as by a suitable die operation, a pair of inwardly projecting bearings 56, said bearings arranged to cooperate with appropriate depressions formed in a post 51 which may be integral with thebase H, and which as is ob.- vious, serves in substitution for the rigid post 26 of the embodiment of Fig. 3. By suitable configuration of the bearings 56, and the em- 2,267,895 ployment of yieldable flanges 55. the shade I2 figure illustrating the normal horizontal position.

of the lamp shade, and illustrating its preferred relationship to the plungers 23 of the switches I3. As shown in broken line in Fig. 1, an oscillation of the shade I2 clockwise of Fig. 1 serves to depress the plunger 23 of the right-hand switch I3. Assuming the switch to have been in open circuit position, such plunger depression causes the switch to close the electrical circuit, and thus light its associated lamp I4. Upon release of pressure on the shade I2, the spring 24 of the switch operating element 23, in causing the return of the plunger to its normal position, also serves to rotate the shade counter-clockwise, returning it, also, to its normal position. Similarly, pressure exerted at the left hand of the shadeof Fig. 1, causes the left-hand switch 23 to operate, either to light its associated lamp, or to extinguish it. In this manner, the respective lamps I4, I4 may be selectively controlled, by suitable oscillation of the lamp shade I2.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. operates in substantially similar manner. Pressure applied to either end portion of the shade I2 will cause an equivalent rotation of the shade about its pivot 33, and a rotative movement of the tongue 4|, in a direction determined by which side of the shade is moved. The displacement of tongue M will exert a sideward pressure on either one or the other switch plunger elements 23. Upon release of pressure on the shade, the spring 24 of such plunger element serves to move the shade to its normal horizontal position.

From the wiring diagram illustrated in Fig. 4, it is apparent that either one or the other, .or both, of the sockets I3 may be electrically connected to the power source 60, by the described operation of either, or both, of the switches I5.

As is well known in the art, standard switches of the type described are obtainable ,for controlling a plurality of (electrical circuits. By the employment of such with a pivotally mounted, oscillatable shadel2, a single switch may be employed for controlling a plurality of lamps I4.

Typical of other modifications gr of my invention would be the co plete disassociation of the switches I5 with respect to a common power source; for example one of the switches I5 may be in a standard lighting circuit, whereas the second might be installed in an emergency circuit or a circuit having electrical characteristics peculiar to a particular .type of lamp I4. Such arrangement would provide for emergency lighting in the event that the normal power circuit were rendered temporarily inoperative. Other modifications of the electric cir-.'

' cuit means may include the employment of ,a

single lamp I4 of the double filament type, in which the filaments are under the respective control of separate switches I5; in other words any lamp of a type requiring two stages of switching operation may be employed pursuant to my invention.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many change and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

switches in connection applications 2. A lighting fixture including abase, a plurality of electric lamp means disposed thereon, -a lamp shade common to said lamp means and pivotally supported on said base at a point intermediate said lamp means, individual electric switch means for each said lamp means, springbiased reciprocal means for operating said switch means disposed adjacent said lamp shade, and switch operating means attached to said shade for rotation therewith and adapted to actuate one or another of said spring-biased reciprocal switch operating means upon suitable rotation of said lamp shade. I

3. A lighting fixture including a base, a plurality of electric lamp means disposed thereon, a lamp shade common to said lamp means and pivotally supported on said base at a point intermediate said lamp means, individual electric switch means for each said lamp means and rigidly mounted with respect to said lamp shade, spring-biased means for operating said switchmeans disposed adjacent said lamp shade, and rigid means secured to said lamp shade and normally in engagement with said switch operating means for" actuating one or another of said switch operating means upon suitable rotation of said lamp shade.

4. A lighting fixture including a base, electric switch means fixed to said base, electric lamp means secured to said base and in electric circuit with said switch means for control thereby,

a lamp sha e, shaft means fixedly secured to said lamp shad means engaging said shaft means for pivotally supporting said shade means upon said base, and a switch actuating member aflixed to said shaft means for movement therewith, said switch actuating member being adapted to oper-v rigid means mounted upon said lamp shade and in engagement with said switch means for operation of said switch means upon rotation of said shade about said pivot.

6. In an electric lighting fixture, a support, electric lamps mounted thereon, fixedly mounted electric switch means for each of said lamps and in electric circuit therewith, said switch means .having spring-biased actuating members, a normally horizontally positioned shade common to said electric'lamps, means for pivotally mounting said shade about a horizontal axis to permit a rotation of said shade relative to said support,

thereby, shade means pivotally mounted with respect to said base, and a tonsue secured to said shade means at the point or pivotal mountina thereoi, said tonsue extendine into said hollow base and disposed intermediate said electric switch means and positioned to enxase with either 0!, said switch means to operate the same upon suitable displacement of said shade means about its said-pivot.

EARL S. BOYNTON. 

